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The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Play trailer Poster for The Bridge of San Luis Rey PG Released Dec 22, 2004 2h 4m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
4% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 36% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
During the Spanish Inquisition, Franciscan monk Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) witnesses the collapse of a bridge in Lima, Peru, and wonders why God has chosen to let five people perish. At a tribunal led by the imperious archbishop of Peru (Robert De Niro), the monk gives evidence about the tragedy's victims, including a marquesa (Kathy Bates) rejected by her daughter (Émilie Dequenne) and the beautiful mistress (Pilar López de Ayala) of a local nobleman (F. Murray Abraham).
The Bridge of San Luis Rey

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Critics Consensus

Despite an all-star cast and some impressive visuals, The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a lifeless, slow-going adaptation of Thornton Wilder's classic novel.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephen Garrett Time Out Why do good actors pop up in bad movies? More perplexingly, why do so many good actors end up in the same bad movie? Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star As a director, McGuckian is overwhelmed by the immensity of her cast, and her misguided attempt to make a Hollywood epic on a European production budget. Rated: 1.5/4 Jul 29, 2005 Full Review Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Best characterized as an honourable folly. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 29, 2005 Full Review Brandon Fibbs BrandonFibbs.com The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a beautiful movie. The film's shooting locations are exquisite. The sets are stunning. The costumes are gorgeous. The actors are superlative. Too bad the movie sucks. Rated: 2/10 Feb 28, 2008 Full Review Walter Chaw Film Freak Central How to turn an embarrassment of riches into an embarrassment, period. Rated: 0.5/4 Dec 14, 2005 Full Review Dragan Antulov Draxblog Movie Reviews leaves audience with the same unanswered question as the one asked by its narrator Rated: 4/10 Nov 27, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alan P Cannot begin to understand why this project evidently sank without a ripple! Magnificent film, extraordinary acting and mise en scene but the extremely complex storyline would make more sense after having first read the novel, which is easily found online, and of which it is totally faithful adaptation. I'd strongly recommend doing so. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Sue O De Niro is washed up and should stop acting already!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Audience Member It's unfairly maligned and features a dedicated cast that is unshakable. A guilty pleasure for those of us who enjoy well-costumed European period dramas. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member I have no idea why the critics have panned this movie. The actors are great. The screenplay inventive. The costumes, the music are terrific. Production values are high. I enjoyed it, having just re-read the novel. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Starry cast but strangely lacking energy; the plot of the novel doesn't help Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member El primer y tercer acto son grandiosos, pero el segundo, o sea el desarrollo de la historia, es tan aburrido que ya entiendo porque a nadie le gustó esta película. Algunas obras literarias son muy difíciles de adaptar. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Bridge of San Luis Rey

F. Murray Abraham as The Viceroy of Peruin in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." Emilie Dequuenne as Dona Clara in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." Kathy Bates as Dona Maria in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the Spanish Inquisition, Franciscan monk Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) witnesses the collapse of a bridge in Lima, Peru, and wonders why God has chosen to let five people perish. At a tribunal led by the imperious archbishop of Peru (Robert De Niro), the monk gives evidence about the tragedy's victims, including a marquesa (Kathy Bates) rejected by her daughter (Émilie Dequenne) and the beautiful mistress (Pilar López de Ayala) of a local nobleman (F. Murray Abraham).
Director
Mary McGuckian
Screenwriter
Mary McGuckian, Thornton Wilder
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Rating
PG (Thematic Elements|Some Disturbing Images|Sensuality)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 10, 2005
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$42.9K
Runtime
2h 4m